They did not have public opinion polls back then, but on Sept. 6, 1901, Pres. William McKinley may have been one of the most popular presidents in American History. The country was prosperous and he had led the country through the Spanish-American War which had made America an empire. McKinley was basking in the glory when he agreed to attend the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. A modest man, he did love the acclaim of the crowd. This would be an opportunity for many people to see their President. On Sept. 5, the 50-year-old President gave a speech to 50,000 people. It was followed by fireworks which concluded with “Welcome Pres. McKinley, Chief of Our Nation and Our Empire” spelled out in the night sky. A meet-and-greet was scheduled for the next day in the Temple of Music. McKinley’s staff was worried about an assassination attempt. McKinley’s personal secretary George Cortelyou had twice attempted to remove the event from the President’s schedule. On his third attempt, McKinley chided Cortelyou: “Why should I [be worried]? No one would wish to hurt me.” McKinley often avoided protection. He would walk to church with no guards. Cortelyou did manage to get some police and soldiers added to the three Secret Service agents. At 4 P.M., the building was opened to a long line of Presidential flesh-pressers. McKinley’s wife Ida was ill, so it was just William shaking hands. He was good at it and considered it his favorite thing to do. Near the front of the line was Leon Czolgosz. Czolgosz was a committed anarchist. He was especially a fan of Emma Goldman. He had heard a speech by her where she condoned assassination. He had even met her and had read suggested anarchist literature. Anarchists had assassinated or attempted to assassinate European rulers. Czolgosz believed it was his duty to kill America’s ruler. “All those people seemed bowing to the great ruler. I made up my mind to kill the ruler.” Czolgosz had a .32 caliber revolver wrapped in a handkerchief. Normally, McKinley’s guards would be suspicious of this, but it was hot and many in the crowd were using handkerchiefs to wipe their brows. McKinley gave his lucky red carnation to a little girl. When he reached the President, he stepped forward and as McKinley offered his hand, the assassin shot him twice point-blank. One hit a button and grazed the sternum. The other hit his abdomen and went through his stomach. An African-American named James “Big Jim” Parker punched Czolgosz and several of the guards began pummeling him. McKinley ordered them to stop. He turned to Cortelyou: “My wife. Be careful how you tell her – oh, be careful.” McKinley was rushed to the exposition’s hospital, but the chief doctor was on a case. A gynecologist was the only doctor available. He managed to suture the two stomach wounds, but was not able to locate the bullet. McKinley seemed to be recovering in the days after. Vice President Teddy Roosevelt went on a hiking trip. On Sept. 13, the effects of gangrene were suddenly apparent. It was apparent the President was dying. He realized it. “It is useless, gentlemen. I think we ought to have a prayer.” He died with his wife at his side. The nation went into mourning. And the man that the Republican leaders had moved from the New York governor’s mansion to the powerless Vice Presidency was now President. Czolgosz was put on trial on Sept. 23 and found guilty three days later. On Oct. 29, he was put in the electric chair. Justice was much swifter back then. One result of the assassination was making the Secret Service a serious organization.
https://www.history.com/news/the-assassination-of-president-william-mckinley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_William_McKinley
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